2003 DODGE DAKOTA Suspension Problems
21 NHTSA complaints on file
Suspension Issues in the 2003 DODGE DAKOTA
21 suspension complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. Of these, 1 involved a crash, 0 involved a fire, and 2 resulted in injury.
21
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths
All Suspension Complaints
The front end got a hard vibrate i replace the shocks two times and its not fix the problem seem like something going too brake off like a wheel or something dont feel safe driving it
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE UPPER LEFT BALL JOINT SUDDENLY FAILED AND CAUSED THE WHEEL TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY RUST AND CORROSION OF THE BALL JOINT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V596000 (SUSPENSION). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,208.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BALL JOINT FAILED ON THE FRONT SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V596000 (SUSPENSION).THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,497.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED AND THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING SPORADICALLY MALFUNCTIONED. ALSO, THE SIDE CAP TO THE MAIN RADIATOR SPEWED ANTIFREEZE APPROXIMATELY FIVE FEET IN THE AIR. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, A LOUD POPPING SOUND EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BALL JOINT FRACTURED. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V596000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE WHERE HE PERFORMED THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000.
I'VE HAD MY 2003 DODGE DAKOTA 4X4 FOR 2.5 YEARS AND THE FRONT SUSPENSION HAS ALWAYS HAD A CLUNCKING NOISE IN IT. I SEEN THE RECALL FROM DAIMLER/CHRYSLER IN REFERENCE TO SUSPENSION(FRONT CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT) NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V596000. NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA03023. I THOUGHT FOR SURE THAT MY TRUCK WOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL,HOWEVER, IT APPEARS TO ME THAT IT ISN'T. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 75,000 MILES ON IT NOW AND I AM WORRIED THAT THE BALL JOINTS MAY SEPARATE AND CAUSE ME OR MY WIFE TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE TRUCK BECAUSE OF EVACUATION OF THE LUBRICANT DUE TO MOISTURE LEAKS INTO THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINTS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMP OR MAKING A TURN AT ANY SPEED, THE CONTACT COULD HEAR AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CENTRAL TIMING MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN ALSO STATED THAT THE BALL JOINT WAS RUSTED AND CORRODED AND MIGHT FRACTURE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE UNDERBODY WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V596000 (SUSPENSION) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08E064000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
WHILE DRIVING THERE IS A LOUD HUMMING NOISE IN FRONT END AND KNOCKING FROM FRONT AND A SQUEEKY NOISE FROM UNDERNEATH. *JS
UPPER BALL JOINTS DETERMINED TO BE SERIOUSLY WORN. NEED TO BE REPLACED ASAP. WAS TOLD DODGE HAD RECALL/EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THESE PARTS BUT CHRYSLER WILL NOT COVER REPLACEMENT AT CURRENT TIME AND WITH CURRENT MILEAGE. WAS TOLD BY CHRYSLER TO INITIATE NHTSA CONTACT RELATIVE TO CHRYSLER CASE #[XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
I BACKED OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, TURNED THE WHEEL TO STRAIGHTEN OUT THE VEHICLE. AS I STRAIGHTENED OUT THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT WHEEL UPPER BALL JOINT FAILED TRAPPING THE WHEEL BENEATH THE TRUCK. *TR
WHILE TRAVELING OVER A SET OF RAILROAD TRACKS, THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE ALONG WITH THE UPPER BALL JOINTS SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE CAUSING ME TO TEMPORARY LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN I RESEARCHED TO SEE IF THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM RELATING TO THIS VEHICLE I FOUND ABOUT THE RECALL. HOWEVER, WHEN I CONTACTED DAIMLERCHRYSLER I WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL WAS VIN SPECIFIC AND THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED. *TR
WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD STRAIGHT NO CURVE, THE REAR AXLE OF MY TRUCK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BROKE OFF AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC NEAR BY WHILE VEHICLE WAS MOVING UNCONTROLLED DOWN THE ROAD. IN A COINCIDENCE DODGE IS HAVE A RECALL OF SAME ISSUE FOR ONLY THE 2009 AND 2010 MODELS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AS A RESULT OF A FRACTURED BALL JOINT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME AND WAS NOT TAKEN TO DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT WERE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE FAILURE AS DESCRIBED BY THE CONTACT. NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,400.
I WAS TOLD THE BALL JOINTS ARE NO GOOD ON MY 2003 DAKOTA 4X2 AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE WARRANTY ON THE BALL JOINTS WAS GIVEN A 10 YEAR EXTENSION ON 4X2 AND RECALLED ON 4X4. I WAS TOLD THAT EVEN THOUGH THE BALL JOINTS ARE CLEARLY THE FAULTY ONES MY MANUFACTURING DATE WAS 20 DAYS AFTER THE DEC 31 2002 CUT OFF FOR WARRANTY EXTENSION. HOW IS THAT MY TRUCK IS NOT COVERED, DESPITE BEING EFFECTED BY THE SAME RECALLED PARTS. IT WOULD SEEM 20 DAYS IS QUITE A SMALL WINDOW TO BE COMPLETELY EXCLUDED FROM THE EXTENSION, AND THAT THERE IS A REASONABLE MARGIN OF AREA. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED WHILE ATTEMPTING A RIGHT TURN. THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THEY WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V596000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000.
2003 DODGE DAKOTA, 2WD, 5 SPD MANUAL, V6. ALTHOUGH A RECALL HAS BEEN GENERATED PERTAINING TO THE 4WD VERSION ONLY, MY TRUCK HAS THE SAME ISSUE. WHEN I AM DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND TURNING OR GOING THROUGH A BUMP I HEAR A CLUNK WHICH SOUNDS LIKE WHAT IS DESCRIBED ON THE EXISTING RECALL FOR THE 4WD ONLY. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THIS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 5-10 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD THUD COMING FROM THE AXLE AREA. THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE HEADLIGHTS, INTERIOR LIGHTS, AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED COMPLETELY. EVENTUALLY, THE HORN BEGAN TO SOUND INTERMITTENTLY, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BEGAN WIPING AUTOMATICALLY, AND THE LOW FUEL INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND CONTINUED TO CHIME. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT ALL THE FAILURES WERE RELATED TO THE CENTRAL TIMER MODULE. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V322000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS SWITCH) WAS REFERENCED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,700.
2003 DODGE DAKOTA 4X4 4.7 AUTOMATIC: STEERING/HANDLING LOOSENESS, INSTABILITY, SKITTISHNESS ON ROADWAYS WORSE AT HIGHER SPEEDS, VERY PRONOUNCED OVER BUMPS. INCONSISTENCIES IN ROADWAYS. VEHICLE "WALKS" SIDEWAYS WHEN GOING ACROSS ROAD DISCONTINUITIES. DEALER SERVICE RETURN FOR DIAGNOSIS: MAJOR SAFETY COMPONENT INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT DEFECTIVE/WORN. *NM
MY 18 MONTH OLD SON AND I WERE IN A SINGLE CAR ROLLOVER, ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2005. I WAS DRIVING A 2003 DODGE DAKOTA WHEN MY TRUCK STARTED TO MAKE A NOISE, THEN WE WERE SENT INTO A ROLLOVER. THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS GONE WHEN WE STOPPED. I WAS SENT INFORMATION FROM MY UNCLE AFTER I SENT HIM PICTURES OF THE ACCIDENT AND HE SENT ME INFORMATION ON THE POSSIBLE RECALL. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT MY OPTIONS ARE AND WHAT DO I DO NOW. *NM
THE VEHICLE'S BALL JOINT HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 24,000 MILES. *NM THE REAR LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL FLUID NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *SC *JB
VEHICLE WILL EITHER GO INTO NEUTRAL WHEN PUT IN REVERSE OR WHILE REVERSING POP OUT OF REVERSE INTO NEUTRAL. THIS MOSTLY OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN 4-WHEEL DRIVE. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES FOR THIS ISSUE, BUT SINCE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE CONSUMER HAD TWO TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE TRANSMISSION MODULE SHORTED OUT ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THIS PROBLEM CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO BE NEARLY REAR ENDED THREE TIMES. THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT INDICATOR SHOWED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE BUT ACTED AS IF IT WERE IN NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT, THE BRAKES WOULD SQUEAK AND THE VEHICLE HAD POOR GAS MILEAGE. *SC THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE DID NOT START AT TIMES. *JB
AT 6,000 MILES THE UPPER BALL JOINTS FAILED. WHEN RIDING OVER ANY SIZE BUMP IN THE ROAD THE FRONT END COLLAPSED. *AK THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT WHEN DRIVING AND WHEN BRAKING, THE FLAPPER DOOR FOR THE FUEL FILLER NECK WAS MISSING AND OR FELL INSIDE THE TANK, THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT SHIFT PROPERLY, THE FRONT AND REAR ROTORS WERE GROOVED, WORN UNEVEN AND PITTED. *SCC *JB
Other 2003 DODGE DAKOTA Problem Areas
Suspensionfrontcontrol Armupper Ball Joint
54 complaints
Electrical System
24 complaints
Suspensionfrontcontrol Armlower Ball Joint
22 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulic
17 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
16 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscrotor
15 complaints
Suspensionfront
15 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling
14 complaints
Power Train
14 complaints
Exterior Lighting
13 complaints
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
13 complaints
Steering
10 complaints
Air Bags
7 complaints
Tires
7 complaints
Visibilitywindshield Wiperwasher
7 complaints
Unknown Or Other
6 complaints
Vehicle Speed Controlcruise Control
6 complaints
Air Bagsfrontal
4 complaints
Exterior Lightingheadlights
4 complaints
Service Brakes
4 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip
4 complaints
Structurebody
4 complaints
Visibilitywindshield Wiperwashermotor
4 complaints
Exterior Lightingheadlightsswitch
3 complaints
Fuel System Gasoline
3 complaints
Fuel System Gasolinestoragetank Assemblyfiller Pipe And Cap
3 complaints
Interior Lighting
3 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdrum
3 complaints
Structure
3 complaints
Suspensionrear
3 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control
3 complaints
Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls
3 complaints
Wheels
3 complaints
Electrical Systemwiring
2 complaints
Electrical Systemwiringinteriorunder Dash
2 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust System
2 complaints
Equipment
2 complaints
Fuelpropulsion System
2 complaints
Latcheslockslinkages
2 complaints
Parking Brake
2 complaints
Power Trainautomatic Transmissiongear Position Indication Prndl
2 complaints
Power Traindrivelinedifferential Unit
2 complaints
Power Traintransfer Case 4 Wheel Drive
2 complaints
Seat Belts
2 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdisc
2 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscpads
2 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentshoses Linespiping And Fittings
2 complaints
Steeringlinkagestie Rod Assembly
2 complaints
Suspensionfrontcontrol Arm
2 complaints
Suspensionfrontwheel Bearing
2 complaints
Visibilitywindshield
2 complaints
Air Bagsfrontalsensorcontrol Module
1 complaint
Air Bagson Off Switch Assembly
1 complaint
Electrical System Instrument Clusterpanel
1 complaint
Electrical System12v24v48v Battery
1 complaint
Electrical Systemhorn
1 complaint
Electrical Systemignition
1 complaint
Electrical Systemignitionswitch
1 complaint
Electrical Systemwiringfront Underhood
1 complaint
Electrical Systemwiringfuses And Circuit Breakers
1 complaint
Electronic Stability Control Esc
1 complaint
Engine
1 complaint
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System
1 complaint
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling Systemradiator Assembly
1 complaint
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Control
1 complaint
Equipmentapplianceair Conditioner
1 complaint
Equipmentelectrical
1 complaint
Exterior Lightingbrake Lights
1 complaint
Exterior Lightingturn Signalswitch
1 complaint
Forward Collision Avoidance Warnings
1 complaint
Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryfuel Pump
1 complaint
Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryhoses Linespiping And Fittings
1 complaint
Fuel System Gasolinestorage
1 complaint
Fuel System Otherdelivery
1 complaint
Fuel System Otherdeliveryfuel Pump
1 complaint
Fuel System Otherdeliveryhoses Linespiping And Fittings
1 complaint
Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatch
1 complaint
Parking Brakeconventionalmechanicallinkage And Cable
1 complaint
Power Trainautomatic Transmissioncontrol Module Tcmpcmtecm
1 complaint
Power Trainautomatic Transmissionlever And Linkagecolumn Shift
1 complaint
Power Trainaxle Assemblybanjo Housing
1 complaint
Power Trainclutch Assembly
1 complaint
Power Traindrivelinedriveshaft
1 complaint
Power Trainmanual Transmission
1 complaint
Power Trainmanual Transmissionshift Pattern Indicator
1 complaint
Seat Beltsfront
1 complaint
Service Brakes Airsupplyhoses Linespiping And Fittings
1 complaint
Service Brakes Hydraulicpower Assistvacuum
1 complaint
Steeringhydraulic Power Assist System
1 complaint
Steeringlinkages
1 complaint
Structureframe And Membersunderbody Shields
1 complaint
Suspensionfrontcontrol Armupper Arm
1 complaint
Suspensionfrontstabilizer Bar
1 complaint
Tiressidewall
1 complaint
Traction Control System
1 complaint
Visibility
1 complaint
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac System
1 complaint
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemwindshieldelectrical Heating Element
1 complaint
Wheelshub
1 complaint